Firearm rail mount

ABSTRACT

A firearm rail mount has an elongated rail body having an upper surface defining a horizontal plane, the elongated rail body having lateral rail edges configured to be engaged by a scope ring base, the elongated rail body defining a channel transverse to the elongated rail body and open in an upward direction, the channel having a floor defining a floor plane, and the floor plane being angularly offset from the horizontal plane. The floor plane may be offset from the horizontal plane by 10-20 degrees. The floor plane may be offset from the horizontal plane by 1-44 degrees. The floor plane may be offset from the horizontal plane by 10-20 degrees. The elongated rail body may define a pattern of alternating blocks and gaps, and the channel is registered with one of the gaps. Each gap may include a bottom surface parallel to the horizontal plane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/033,232 filed on Jun. 2, 2020, entitled “OPTIC LEVELING WEDGE ON ACTION,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to a firearm rail mount that enables a riflescope to be leveled relative to the receiver of a host firearm.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Riflescopes greatly improve the accuracy of a host firearm when they are installed properly. Although mounting a riflescope on a firearm using scope rings appears straightforward, even a slight rotation of the riflescope causing the riflescope to not be level relative to the firearm's receiver can decrease the rifle's accuracy. The benefits to leveling the riflescope relative to the firearm's receiver are numerous. First, adjustments to the riflescope's windage and elevation will be more accurate and not create unintuitive diagonal adjustments. Second, the riflescope's reticle will be clear and precisely aimed. Third, the user will not be distracted by an unleveled, crooked reticle when aiming. Fourth, shots requiring reticle hold over will be more accurate.

Although various bubble levels and other commercial tools exist that can be used to level a riflescope, they have various disadvantages including difficulty of use, size, complexity, and vulnerability to damage. Additional challenges can exist with the use of existing tools when the host firearm lacks a flat top surface.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved firearm rail mount that enables a riflescope to be leveled relative to the receiver of a host firearm. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the firearm rail mount according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of enabling a riflescope to be leveled relative to the receiver of a host firearm.

The present invention provides an improved firearm rail mount, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved firearm rail mount that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.

To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises an elongated rail body having an upper surface defining a horizontal plane, the elongated rail body having lateral rail edges configured to be engaged by a scope ring base, the elongated rail body defining a channel transverse to the elongated rail body and open in an upward direction, the channel having a floor defining a floor plane, and the floor plane being angularly offset from the horizontal plane. The floor plane may be offset from the horizontal plane by 10-20 degrees. The floor plane may be offset from the horizontal plane by 1-44 degrees. The floor plane may be offset from the horizontal plane by 10-20 degrees. The elongated rail body may define a pattern of alternating blocks and gaps, and the channel is registered with one of the gaps. Each gap may include a bottom surface parallel to the horizontal plane. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of the current embodiment of a firearm rail mount constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in use attaching a riflescope to a firearm receiver.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the firearm rail mount of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the firearm rail mount.

FIG. 4 is a rear sectional view of the firearm rail mount of FIG. 1 with the riflescope in an unleveled condition.

FIG. 5 is a rear sectional view of the firearm rail mount of FIG. 1 with the riflescope in a leveled condition.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the firearm rail mount of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

FIGS. 1, 2, 4 & 5 illustrate the improved firearm rail mount 10 of the present invention. More particularly, FIGS. 1, 4 & 5 show the firearm rail mount in use attaching a firearm optic in the form of riflescope 200 to a firearm receiver 300. The riflescope has a downward facing reference surface 202, which is a flat surface on the bottom of the turret housing 210 of the riflescope. The firearm rail mount has an elongated rail body 12 having an upper surface 14 defining a horizontal plane 16 (shown in FIGS. 4 & 5). The elongated rail body has lateral rail edges 18, 20 configured to be engaged by scope ring bases 22, 24. The elongated rail body defines a channel 26 transverse to the elongated rail body and open in an upward direction. The channel has a channel floor 28 defining a floor plane 30 (shown in FIGS. 4 & 5). The floor plane is angularly offset from the horizontal plane by 1-44 degrees, more preferably by 10-20 degrees, and most preferably by 15+/−0.250 degrees in the current embodiment.

The elongated rail body 12 defines a pattern of alternating blocks 32 and gaps 34. The channel 26 is registered with one of the gaps. Each gap includes a bottom surface 36 parallel to the horizontal plane 16. The channel floor 28 is adjacent to the bottom surface and meets the bottom surface at an obtuse angle 38 (shown in FIGS. 4 & 5). The channel floor has a greater transverse length 40 (shown in FIGS. 4 & 5) than does the bottom surface of the gap. There is a plurality of channels spaced apart from each other and having a common floor plane 42 (shown in FIGS. 4 & 5). In the current embodiment, the elongated rail body is a Picatinny rail. The firearm receiver has a maximum height of 1.980 inch, the elongated rail body has a length of 5.786 inch, and each block has a width of 0.228 inch. The transverse length of the channel floor is 0.650 inch.

The current invention includes a planar tool 44 having a first edge 46 configured to engage the channel floor 28 and a second edge 48 configured to engage the reference surface 202 of the riflescope 200. The riflescope has a cylindrical tube portion 204 rotatably received in the scope ring bases 22, 24 with the reference surface facing the channel floor, such that a tool angle 50 between the first and second edges establishes a rotational position of the riflescope with respect to the rail mount 10. In the current embodiment, the planar tool has a length of 5.505 inch, a maximum height of 1.582 inch, and a tool angle of 15 degrees. The planar tool has a thickness 52 established to be closely received within the channel. In the current embodiment, the planar tool has a thickness of 0.200+/−0.005 inch. The embodiment of the firearm rail mount 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 & 5 is formed integrally with the firearm receiver 300 configured to receive operating firearm components including a bolt (not shown).

A method of connecting the riflescope 200 to the firearm receiver 300 is depicted in FIGS. 4 & 5. The method includes the steps of providing a firearm including the firearm receiver defining a horizontal reference plane 16, an alignment surface (channel floor 28) offset from the horizontal plane, and including a mount defining a cylindrical scope ring passage portion (scope ring bases 22, 24 defining cylindrical scope ring passage portions 54, 56), positioning a tubular portion of a riflescope (cylindrical tube portion 204) having a reference surface 202, in the scope ring passage portion, positioning a tapered tool (planar tool 44) having first and second edges 46, 48 acutely angled with each other between the alignment surface and the scope reference surface (the unleveled condition illustrated in FIG. 4), rotating the riflescope until the tapered tool is inserted a maximum amount and the first edge overlays the alignment surface and the second edge underlays the reference surface (the leveled condition illustrated in FIG. 5), clamping the riflescope in the cylindrical scope ring passage portion to prevent rotation of the riflescope (using clamps 58, 60), and removing the tapered tool. In the leveled condition shown in FIG. 5, adjustments to the riflescope's windage and elevation using windage turret 206 and elevation turret 208 will move the reticle (not shown) only horizontally and vertically relative to the upper surface 14 of the firearm receiver, eliminating unintuitive diagonal reticle movements. It should be appreciated that a tool angle 50 of even 1 degree is preferable to the tapered tool having the first and second edges parallel because the tool angle makes it easier to extract the tapered tool after the riflescope is clamped. An angle angle of 15 degrees is preferred because the greater angle makes it even easier to withdraw the tapered tool after the riflescope is clamped and reduces the likelihood of the surfaces on the riflescope and elongated rail body contacted by the tapered tool being marred. The tapered tool enables a user to level the riflescope without the need for a bubble level or other additional leveling device.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the improved firearm rail mount 100 of the present invention. More particularly, the firearm rail mount 100 has an elongated rail body 112 having numerous substantially identical characteristics to the elongated rail body 12. The elongated rail body has an upper surface 114 defining a horizontal plane 116. The elongated rail body has lateral rail edges 118, 120 configured to be engaged by scope ring bases 22, 24. The elongated rail body defines a channel 126 transverse to the elongated rail body and open in an upward direction. The channel has a channel floor 128 defining a floor plane 130. The floor plane is angularly offset from the horizontal plane by 1-44 degrees, more preferably by 10-20 degrees, and most preferably by 15 degrees in the current embodiment.

The elongated rail body 112 defines a pattern of alternating blocks 132 and gaps 134. The channel 126 is registered with one of the gaps. Each gap includes a bottom surface 136 parallel to the horizontal plane 116. The channel floor 128 is adjacent to the bottom surface and meets the bottom surface at an obtuse angle. The channel floor has a greater transverse length 140 than does the bottom surface of the gap. There is a plurality of channels spaced apart from each other and having a common floor plane 142. In the current embodiment, the elongated rail body is a Picatinny rail.

The primary difference between the elongated rail body 112 and the elongated rail body 12 is the elongated rail body 112 includes an attachment facility 144 in the form of apertures 146 configured to removably connect the elongated rail body 112 to a firearm frame (not shown) using bolts threadedly received by standard scope ring mounting holes on the firearm frame. It should be appreciated that the planar tool 44 interacts with the elongated rail body 112 and reference surface 202 of riflescope 200 in the same manner as with the elongated rail body 12, so a method of connecting the riflescope to a firearm frame is the same as the method of connecting the riflescope to the firearm receiver 300 except for the additional step of first connecting the firearm rail mount 100 to a firearm frame.

In the context of the specification, the terms “rear” and “rearward,” and “front” and “forward,” have the following definitions: “rear” or “rearward” means in the direction away from the muzzle of the firearm while “front” or “forward” means it is in the direction towards the muzzle of the firearm.

While a current embodiment of a firearm rail mount has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Although rifles have been disclosed, the firearm rail mount is also suitable for use with shotguns, light and medium machine guns, and other firearms. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A firearm rail mount for mounting a firearm optic having a reference surface, the mount comprising: an elongated rail body having an upper surface defining a horizontal plane; the elongated rail body having lateral rail edges configured to be engaged by a scope ring base; the elongated rail body defining a channel transverse to the elongated rail body and open in an upward direction; the channel having a channel floor defining a floor plane; and the floor plane being angularly offset from the horizontal plane.
 2. The mount of claim 1 wherein the floor plane is offset from the horizontal plane by 1-44 degrees.
 3. The mount of claim 1 wherein the floor plane is offset from the horizontal plane by 10-20 degrees.
 4. The mount of claim 1 wherein the elongated rail body defines a pattern of alternating blocks and gaps, and the channel is registered with one of the gaps.
 5. The mount of claim 4 wherein each gap includes a bottom surface parallel to the horizontal plane, and wherein the channel floor is adjacent to the bottom surface and meets the bottom surface at an obtuse angle.
 6. The mount of claim 1 wherein the channel floor has a greater transverse length than does the bottom surface of the gap.
 7. The mount of claim 1 including a plurality of channels spaced apart from each other and having a common floor plane.
 8. The mount of claim 1 wherein the elongated rail body is a picatinny rail.
 9. The mount of claim 1 including a planar tool having a first edge configured to engage the channel floor and a second edge configured to engage a reference surface of a riflescope rotatably received in the scope ring base, such that a tool angle between the first and second edges establishes a rotational position of the riflescope with respect to the rail mount.
 10. The mount of claim 9 wherein the planar tool has a thickness established to be closely received within the channel.
 11. The mount of claim 1 including a scope ring base connected to the elongated rail body and a riflescope with a cylindrical tube portion rotationally received by the scope ring base, and the riflescope having a reference surface facing the channel floor.
 12. The mount of claim 1 formed integrally with a firearm receiver configured to receive operating firearm components including a bolt.
 13. The mount of claim 1 including an attachment facility configured to removably connect the elongated rail body to a firearm frame.
 14. A method of connecting a scope to a firearm comprising: providing a firearm defining a horizontal reference plane, an alignment surface offset from the horizontal plane, and including a mount defining a cylindrical scope ring passage portion; positioning a tubular portion of a riflescope having a reference surface, in the scope ring passage portion; positioning a tapered tool having first and second edges acutely angled with each other between the alignment surface and the scope reference surface; rotating the riflescope until the tapered tool is inserted a maximum amount and the first edge overlays the alignment surface and the second edge underlays the reference surface; clamping the riflescope in the cylindrical scope ring passage portion to prevent rotation of the riflescope; and removing the tapered tool. 